The MMS Story
We love to help build community.
MMS Consultants opened for business in 1975. The “MMS” in our name represents the initials of our founders: Surveyor Robert Mickelson, Engineer Ron Meyer, and Landscape architect Larry Schnittjer. Success in those early years was fueled by the loyalty of a small group of clients, the partners' ability to work well together as a team, and the fact that they genuinely cared about the projects they were given. That caring is reflected in the MMS logo, lovingly hand-drawn by Larry Schnittjer. We keep that logo to this day as a constant reminder of how much of themselves each of the partners put into their new venture.
The partners hired well and kept their simple approach alive, finding people who truly loved their work and had the ability to put project before ego and be part of a cohesive and collegial team. MMS has a long history of folks who simply get along, genuinely care about their fellow workers and pitch in when we're faced with large, difficult projects and tight deadlines.
We believe that's why we still have those first clients 40 years later and more than 10,000 more over the years without wandering far from home. It's allowed us to complete nearly 40,000 projects in our own backyard.
There are forty of us now with an average employee tenure over 12 years. We are led by principals Ronald Amelon, Kelly Beckler, Randy Williams, Luke Newton, Scott Pottorff, Jon Marner, and Rick Nowotny. Each has been with MMS for most of their career and all for at least 15 years.
MMS Management
Philosophy
The simple truth is, we only succeed when every party involved in a development feels like they've won. The developer needs to achieve his or her financial goals. The jurisdiction needs to feel that the development adds value and makes citizens happy. Neighbors need to feel that the value of their property will be preserved or enhanced. All have to feel that quality of life is improved by the work we've done. In other words, when no one loses, we all win. That's always our goal.
Technology
When a new technology make the process faster, less expensive or more accurate, MMS embraces it. We train thoroughly and adopt carefully so our clients realize the benefits of technical advancements without having to share the cost of implementation, either in time or the pain of the learning curve.
Passion
We've completed nearly 40,000 projects for more than 10,000 clients since 1975 and all of them are within 100 miles from home. We love Eastern Iowa and take great pride in the fact that we literally live with our work every day of our lives. Every thing we do affects all of us.
Effort
We approach our work with focus and energy. Every project is our most important. Once we've accepted a project, it's ours from that point on. We have one of the most extensive project libraries around. We consider the documents in it to be something like our family album. That's why we will always do what it takes to get things right.
How we work...
IT ALL STARTS WITH A PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEY
MMS has one of the largest survey crews in Eastern Iowa. Our crews are equipped with up-to-date, satellite-connected Trimble equipment. MMS licensed surveyors certify all types of land surveys, including sophisticated drone-powered topographic studies.
What our clients are saying about us...
